Craig Gordon: I'll Still Be Scotland's Number One Goalkeeper

Mar 23 2008 By Gordon Waddell

CRAIG GORDON has warned red-hot Rangers keeper Allan McGregor to keep his hands off the Scotland No.1 jersey.

The Ibrox ace has been tipped as a serious challenger to Gordon's place thanks to a stunning run of form.

But with George Burley's first selection looming against Croatia on Wednesday at Hampden, Sunderland's s9million signing is hoping his former Hearts boss will keep faith with him.

And Gordon insists he will prove he's still our top shot-stopper.

The 25-year-old told MailSport: "If I get a chance to play I will remind everyone what I can do. I don't want to give up my jersey.

"It's a great honour to play for your country and something I love doing. It has been good for me so far.

"At times I can be out of sight, out of mind but I've played for the manager and he knows what I can do.

"I'm not surprised people are pushing for Allan though. That's football, isn't it? It's one game at a time.

"If I'm picked for the next game I will need to perform to my best to remind people what I can do.

"Allan is a quality keeper and he will be in the squad fighting for his place, the same as David Marshall."

Gordon is no stranger to battling with McGregor for a shirt - the pair have been glove rivals for over a decade.

He said: "Allan has been in the squad for quite some time and I get on fine with him.

"Jim Stewart is now his goalkeeping coach at Rangers as well as Scotland so we all know each other very well.

"Going back further we were in the same Edinburgh schoolboys team when we were 15 or 16.

"I was playing a year above myself. Allan was a year older and was in the team with me on the bench.

"The funny thing is I haven't seen much of Allan on TV this season. I've been having a nightmare getting Sky in my house so I haven't seen much Scottish football.

"But I hear about stuff that goes on because I'm in touch with guys up the road. And Rangers are on a great run.

"They've done well to be the last British side left in the UEFA Cup."